Shani Diluka plays Beethoven

"What leads me ... to the choice of a piano: a Bechstein - a tribute to the profound and at the same time bright sound of the legendary recordings of Fischer or also of Kempff, whose cadence I play, which are heard all too rarely." This is the reason Shani Diluka gave for her choice of instruments in the booklet for her recording of the first two Beethoven Concertos with the Orchestra National Bordeaux Aquitaine conducted by Kwamé Ryan. This Mirare CD of the extraordinary pianist was recorded in 2010 and got rave reviews worldwide.

Boyd Pomeroy wrote in FANFARE MAGAZINE (August 2011, USA): "The First Concerto is given a sensitive, ear-catchingly Mozartean reading, the effect enhanced by the delicate, silvery sonorities of her chosen Bechstein. Playing this full of ideas, executed with such enchanting finesse, is a rare commodity in our age (and not so common in any other), and this really holds its own in the most competitive field imaginable. I’ll now be eagerly looking out for more from this unusually probing, thoughtful young artist."

Gramophone (UK) reviewed the CD in the January issue 2011: “Shani Diluka is a young pianist with a lot to say. She coaxes a beautiful sound from her Bechstein, spinning a lustrously beautiful thread through the Adagio of the B flat major Concerto...There is much to admire: Diluka takes a notably Mozartian approach, which works under her nimble fingers...Diluka's resume mentions Martha Argerich and there is perhaps a touch of the great Argentinian's highly reactive, febrile approach to the music in this reading...Diluka, though, is clearly an artist to watch and her sense of individuality is refreshing".

And the French magazine Diapason wrote (June issue 211): "The choice of Bechstein with its beautiful and round sonority and delicate bass, is perfectly adapted to Shani Diluka's post-Mozartian esthetic. ... Her playing reminds us of Kempff in this music.."